Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs BMW i4 vs Tesla Model 3: Range, Charging, Performance & Price Compared

If you're shopping for an electric sedan in Canada, chances are the Hyundai IONIQ 6, BMW i4, and Tesla Model 3 have come up in your research. Up until early 2025, these three EVs were separated by just $9 CAD in starting price — all under $55,000. But thanks to recent changes, that price gap has widened significantly.

So, which of these EVs gives you the best balance of range, charging speed, performance, and value? Let's break it down.

EV Range Comparison: Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs BMW i4 vs Tesla Model 3

Let's start with the most important statistic of any electric vehicle. The driving range. All 3 cars can achieve over 500 km of range, but that number depends on a lot of various factors. Officially, the single motor Hyundai IONIQ 6 and the Tesla Model 3 can drive for up to 550 km while the single motor BMW i4 eDrive35 can only manage 428 km. You'd have to move up to the i4 eDrive40 in order to have up to 512 km of driving range.

Predictably the driving ranges drop for the IONIQ 6 and i4 once a second electric motor is added to the recipe to make an AWD system. The Model 3 is only available with AWD in Canada, but when it was available with just a single motor, it had a range of almost 600 km. The situation gets further complicated by the type of wheels each car is optioned with. But the basic premise is that the bigger the wheel size, the less driving range the car will have.

Verdict: The IONIQ 6 and Tesla Model 3 lead on range, but the BMW i4 eDrive40 is still competitive.

Charging Speed: Which EV Charges the Fastest?

Charging speed is just as important as range, especially for road trips.

• Hyundai IONIQ 6:
  • 77.4 kWh battery
  • 350 kW charging (800V architecture)
  • 10-80% in 18 minutes
• BMW i4:
  • 70.2 kWh (eDrive35) or 83.9 kWh (eDrive40/M50)
  • 180-200 kW charging
  • 10-80% in ~ 30 minutes
• Tesla Model 3:
  • 78.1 kWh battery
  • 250 kW charging
  • 5-80% in just over 30 minutes at Tesla Superchargers

Verdict: The Hyundai IONIQ 6 dominates here with its ultra-fast charging capability.

Power & Performance: How Fast Are They?

EVs are known for instant torque, and these sedans are no exception.

• Hyundai IONIQ 6: 225 hp (RWD) / 320 hp (AWD)
• BMW i4: 282 hp (eDrive35) / 396 hp (xDrive40)
• Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor: 394 hp

High-performance trims:

• BMW i4 M60 xDrive: 601 hp, 0-100 km/h in 3.7 sec
• Hyundai IONIQ 6 N: 641 hp (Boost mode), 0-100 km/h in 3.2 sec
• Tesla Model 3 Performance: 460 hp, 0-100 km/h in 3.1 sec

Verdict: The Tesla Model 3 Performance is the quickest, but the IONIQ 6 N is a serious rival.

Interior & Infotainment: Tech and Comfort Compared

Each sedan has its own take on cabin design:

• IONIQ 6: Dual 12.3-inch screens, physical climate controls, roomy cupholders, quirky window switches on the center console.
• BMW i4: 12.3-inch driver display + 14.9-inch touchscreen, sharp graphics, but climate controls buried in menus.
• Tesla Model 3: Minimalist cabin with a single 15-inch screen controlling everything, but no physical buttons.

Verdict: Depending on what you're looking for in a vehicle, the BMW i4 provides a premium feel, while the Hyundai IONIQ 6 is the most user-friendly, and the Tesla Model 3 is the most simplistic.

Cargo Space and Practicality

• Tesla Model 3: Largest trunk plus a useful frunk.
• BMW i4: Hatchback design makes loading easier.
• IONIQ 6: Has a frunk as well, but smaller than Tesla's.

Verdict: Tesla Model 3 has the most cargo space, followed by the BMW i4 for hatchback practicality.

Features & Parking Technology

All three models offer: heated/ventilated seats, premium audio, wireless charging, ambient lighting, and sunroofs.

Unique to each model:

• IONIQ 6: Remote-controlled forward/backward parking.
• BMW i4: Parking assistant that memorizes maneuvers and reverses them automatically.
• Tesla Model 3: Combines both, plus Smart Summon (requires full self-driving add-on).

Verdict: Tesla Model 3 for advanced driver-assist options, but comes at an additional cost.

Price in Canada (2025)

• Hyundai IONIQ 6: Still under $55,000 CAD starting.
• BMW i4: Still under $55,000 CAD starting.
• Tesla Model 3: Now only offered in dual-motor long range trim, starting at $80,000 CAD due to tariffs.

Verdict: IONIQ 6 and i4 for affordability.

Final Verdict

With the Tesla Model 3 now starting at $80,000 in Canada, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 and BMW i4 have become the top value choices for shoppers under $55,000, while offering similar tech features and competitive speeds and performance.